Electric signal device.



W. M. WAITE.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29, 1914.

1 253 91 2, Patented. Jan. 15, 1918.

2 SHEETS SHEET I.

Fig. 2

\Nifhesses. lnvenfor.

" io Wilbur MWaiTe v F b /gwmz MJeM 7W AHys W. M. WAITE.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL DEVICE.

' H APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 29, IBM.

Patented Jan. 15, 1918.

2 SHEETSSHEET2,

Wirnes ses. Invenror.

MVWZZM Wilbur MWctiTe snares carton WELBUSE- IE. UVAITE, .OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO THE MULTI-SIGNAL JQMPANY, F GHABLESTUWN, MASSACHUSETTS, A. CORPORATION OF IEAINE.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent."

Patented J a m 15, 19180 Application filed September 29, 1am. Serial No. 86 .21%.

To all whom 523 may concern:

Be it known that l, VVELBUR ll. News, a citizen of the United States, residing at Boston, county of Suffolk, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Electric Signal Devices, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawing, is a specification, like characters on the drawing representing like parts.

This invention relates to improvements in signaling mechanism and particularly to devices in which one or a series of signals may be transmitted at will to a distant point, such signals being adapted for calling various individuals, giving orders, 1ndicatins localities, etc. example the various ofiice factory be desi ated by difterent numbers, 12, 17, and the like and may he callec by ringing or flashing their r spective numbers, a sutlicient period of t being ermitted to elapse between the numeral call and the succeedin numeral call a certain indication or the number. it may be used to indicatelocalities in the same manner as is now used in the f e department to indicate the box rich an alarm is turned in and may ployees of ed to ve predetermined signals, combined with r; onnecting device to complete an QlQC'a 1c circuit successively through said se-- lectors in such a manner as to cause the transmission 0'? signals of the character describe-:1,

Another object or the invention is to provide means whereby the desired signal may be repeated such. number of times as may be desired, or may be stopped at will.'

Another object the invention is to provide means for preventing the sparking of the ele trio current during the making and hreahing of the current for the series of signals.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for causing the apparatus to has heen completed.

" he invention will more a position with certainty fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be pointed out in the annexed claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the clockwork mechanism and the connectors forming part of the improved signaling device. Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the signaling device the casing being shown in section and the connectors and selector mechanism in elevation,

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the signaling device illustrating particularly the circuit closing mechanism and the means for releasing the selectors upon the completion of a call,

Fig. comprises a detail plan view of the selector mechanism and end elevation or the connector mechanism illustrah ing the electric circuits connecting the same, including the circuit closing member,

Fig. 5 isa detail elevation of the braking mechanism for arresting the parts of the signaling mechanism at normal, or starting position,

Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse sectional view illustrating the mechanism for releasing the selectors,

Fig. 1 is a detail view of the switch for connecting electrically the main signalil circuit or tire alarm signaling circuit with. the selector mechanism,

Fig. 8 is a detail side view of a modified form of circuit breaker which the signaling device to he connected with ph1- rality or signal transmission lines, and,

Fig. 9 is an end view or the As illustrated herein the base upon which the signaling mechanism is mounted is; formed in two parts, 1,2, preferably of slate and separated except at the exterior a sull'i cient distance to inclose the electric conductors. A pair 0t end standards, 3, 4-, mounted upon the base .2 and longitudinal bars 5 and Gloria a frame for supporting the selector mechanism.

The selector mechanism illustratec herein comprises a series of bars 'Z, 8, 9, l9, 13, l l disposed longitudinally of the supporting frame and separated therefrom by suitable insulating strips 16 the bars being provided with depending central flanges l? -forming contacts adapted till tending upwardly from each of a series of selectors which preferably are in the form of key bars, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28. The flexible conductors 18 are disposed upon the respective key bars 19 to 28 inelusive. Each of the bars 7 to 14 is connected through a suitable-conductor to a contact member or terminal adapted to coopcrate with a rotary connector whereby the current may be successively transmitted through one or more of the selector bars according to the sequence in which the selectors are en aged.

In the pre erred form of the invention herein the connector contacts are arranged in a circular series there being certain blank contacts upon which the connector" may rest when approaching-or in stationary or normal position.

The connector contacts, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4 may comprise metallic terminals 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, connected by circuits a, b, 0, 01, e, f, g, respectively to the terminals 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, the terminal 33 being connected to the selector 7, the terminal 34 to the selector 8, the terminal 35 to the selector 12, the terminal 36 to the selector 13 and theterminal 37 to the selector 14.

As illustrated herein the bars 10 andv 11 of the selector are not provided with connections but may, if desired, be provided with suitable contacts in the connector mechanism. o

The frame inclosing the selector mechanism desirably is connected to the ground circuit of the battery or other source of electrical energy and to the terminal 32 so that the, connector inadvancing over the contact 32 will energize the signaling device upon each traverse thereover.

The connector desirably is in the form of a sector 40 extending laterally from the radial arm 41 fixed upon the end of a shaft 42 which may be rotated by clock mechanism as illustrated herein or in any other suitable manner. The bearings for the countershaft or the clock workmechanism by a which it is actuated are insulated from the selector mechanism and the connector ter-' minals aforesaid by the "section 2 of the slate base, the shaft of the connector being iii electrical connection through the lines (1 a a, etc., of the signaling circuits with the source of electrical energy or battery B.

A series of selector keys having suitable letters or numerals thereupon, each indicating the combination of bars or signals controlled by the particular selector may be located at the end of preferably rectangular bars 43 slidably mounted in suitable apertures in the longitudinally extending bar 5 which desirably may be in the form of a pair of complementary bars suitably connected together. The selectors desirably orted at the opposite side of the main rame. The selectors are desirably maintained normally in extended or inoperative position by suitable springs 47.

It is desirable that when a given signal bar is thrust into contacting position it shall be retained in such position until the series of signals\is completed, and in order to obtain this result each bar is provided with a shouldered projection or stud 48 upon its upper surface which is adapted to be thrust beneath and'to raise a longitudinally extending latch 49 which desirably is L- shaped in form and pivoted upon suitable screws, or trunnions 50 (see Fig. 3) in the end standards 3, 4, of the main frame' The L-shaped latch may be held in depressed position by spiral springs 51, 52 secured to said latch and to suitable screws or pins upon the inner face of said standards.

In the general operation of the device a selector key is pressed in laterally until the L-shaped latch 49 engages the shoulder upon the projection 48 at which time. the contact member or members 18 upon the keys engage the flanges 17 of the cooperating selector bars. Upon rotation of the connector 40 the circuit is completed through the contact member 32 thence through the circuits a a a, etc., and the signaling device, which preferably is in the form of a bell causing the bell to ring once. If the first selector 19 .is in engagement with the selector bar 7 the further rotation of the connector will cause the connector arm 40 to pass over the contact member 32 to the contact member 33 thus first breaking the circuit and then renewing it so that the bell will be rung a second time giving the sig nal 2.

By various arrangements of the contact members 18 upon the selector keys 19 to 28 inclusive various different signals may be given, if for example twelve is desired the key 24 will be pressed in completing the circuit through the terminals 34 and 35 but omitting the completion of the circuit through the terminal 33 so that a single stroke will be given as the connector 40 passes over the contact 32, followed by silence while the connector is traversing the terminal 33 and two successive rings as the connector 40 continues its path over the terminals 34 and 35 which are in the circuit of the selector bars engaged by the contact members 18.

It will be obvious that other combinations will be provided in like manner by pushman ate the selector keys will normally remain in operative position since the raising of the latch 49 by the key being pressed in will release the latch from its engagement with the lug upon any key bar which has been previously pressed in. It is however possible to form combinations by the use of two or more of the key bars by pressing the same in simultaneously so that the latch will engage the projections 48 on both of said bars at the same time.-

The connector 40 may be rotated by any suitable clockwork-mechanism, as illustrated herein means are provided for producing one or more rotations of the connector as may be desired and means are also provided for positively arresting the bar at the completion of one or a definite number of revolutions so that the connector will be properly positioned and will not overcarry so as to produce a false signal. As illustrated herein the clockwork mechanism comprises a main shaft 55 adapted to be operated by a suitable key 56, said shaft being connected to a suitable actuating spring 57 and a drivinggear 58 adapted to mesh with a suitable pinion 59 upon a shaft 42v which carries the connector arm 40.

The clockwork mechanism may be arranged to operate a circuit closing mechanism adapted to prevent the sparking of the connecter as it passes from one contact terminal to another and the clockwork mechanism also may be provided with a suitable governor and with braking mechanism adapted to stop the rotation of the connector in exactly the right position.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed herein the shaft 42 is provided with a gear wheel 68 which engages a pinion 64-upon a countershaft 65 which has upon its end a circuit closer 66, the ratio of the gearing between the shaft 42 and the shaft 54 being such as to close the circuit in a manner hereinafter to be described after the contact member has passed to each of the successive contact members 32 to 38 inclusive-and to break the circuit before the connector leaves said contact member. The circuit closer 66 desirably is pro vided with two cam faces 67, 68 adapted to engage a contacting surface 69 upon the end of a resilient conductor 70 which may be secured to a suitable stand 71 which is connected in the circuit of the shaft 42 of the conductor so that when either of the cam surfaces 67 68 is in contact with the surface 69 the current may pass freely through the connector mechanism, the respective contacts, the selected circuits of the selector mechanism, the signal line and to the source of power. The cam surfaces 67 and 68 are so proportioned that they will engage re spectively the surface 69 before the connector 40 passes from one of its contact members to the next and will pass out of en gagement with the surface 69 before the connector leaves the member upon which it is positioned when the circuit is closed, thereby preventing any sparking between the connector and its contact members.

A further train of gears may be provided for driving a suitable governor 73 for the clockwork mechanism. A suitable braking mechanism may be provided for assisting in arresting the movement of the clockwork mechanism, said brake preferably being applied to the shaft 7 4 which carries the governor 73. The braking mechanism which is illustrated herein in detail in Fig. 5 desirably comprises a spring actuated lever 75, pivoted upon a suitable stud or screw 76 carried by the side frame of the clockwork mechanism, one end of said lever 77 extendingbeneath the shaft 74 of the governor, the other end being provided with a projection 78 adapted to engage a recess '79 in a disk 80 carried by the main shaft of the machine. The recess 79 is adapted to be positioned beneath the projection 78 only when the main shaft 55 is in normal position.

The shaft 42 is likewise provided with a disk 81 having a recess 82 adapted to re-- ceive a pin 83 projecting from the lever when the parts are in normal position.

It is to be remembered however that the shaft 42 revolves much more rapidly than the main shaft 55 and that in order for the lever 75 to be operated to brake the shaft 74 the recesses 79 and 82 must be simultaneously beneath the projection 78 and the pin 83 in conjunction, and this will only occur when the mechanism has returned to normal or starting position at which time the end of the lever 7 5 will be depressed by its spring 84 and the end 77 brought into contact with the governor shaft 74. One side of the projection 78 of the lever 75 is provided with a beveled surface 85 which is adapted to raise the end of the lever 75 when the key 56 is turned to wind up the clockwork mechanism and to set the same in operation.

It is desirable that when the signal is completed the selector key bars shall all be released and returned to their normal position. This is accomplished through an arm 86 which projects laterally from the main shaft and is provided with a pair of cam surfaces 87 adapted to engage a resilient member 88 attached to and depending from a stud 89 attached to the pivotal bar which carries the latch 48.

When the key is turned to wind up the motor spring one of the cam surfaces 87 will press aside the resilient member 88 and pass beneath the same. Upon the reverse movement under the action of the spring the op posite cam face 87 will engage the resilient In the. operation of the device as will be obvious the key bar providing the desired signal is pressed inward until it is retained by the latch so that the contact members carried thereby are in engagement with their respective selector bars. The key 56 is then rotated through an arc corresponding to one or more of the teeth upon the ratchet wheel upon the motor shaft accord ing to whether the signal is to be given once a or repeated a number of times.

Upon the release of the key the motor will cause the rotation of the connector to give the required signals and upon the completion of the signals the lever will be permitted, by the simultaneous positioning of the recess 79 and 82 on the disks and 81, to engage the shaft 74 of the governor mechanism and arrest the clockwork mechanism so that the connector will not overcarry. As the main shaft returns to its normal position the cam 87 on the end of the arm 86 will. engage the resilient member 88 on the latch mechanism and will rotate the latch 48 from engagement with the projections 47 of the selector key bars and permit the latter to return to normal position.

Frequently the person called will respond before the repeated series of signals has been completed and it is desirable to disconnect the signaling mechanism so as to avoid an unnecessary repetition of the signals, especially when bell signals are being used, means are therefore provided for breaking the bell circuit after response has been received. Any desirable form of switch in the signaling line may be used for this purpose. As illustrated herein the bell signaling circuit is provided with a resilient contact 90 and av cooperating lever 91 which when in contact will permit the current to flow through the bell circuit. Upon response by the person called the calling person may move thelever about its pivot 92 to break the contact with the resilient member 90 thereby interrupting the circuit. This will permit the clockwork mechanism to run down without giving further signals. It is desirable when the clockwork mechanism is restored to normal or stationary position that the circuit be completed through the resilient contact 90 and the lever 91 in order to provide for the giving of the next signal and this is accomplished in the present invention by means of an arm 93 secured upon the main shaft to insuch a manner that when the clockwork mechanism is in normal position the end of the arm 93 will force the lever 91 into its contacting position shown in Fig. 4. When therefore the operator de-- sires to stop the repeating of the signals he merely swings the lever 91 sufliciently to break its contact with the terminal 90 and releases the same. Upon the conclusion of the operation of the clockwork mechanism the arm 93 engages the lever 91 and forces it back into closed position.

It is desirable that the signaling circuit may be provided with means whereby signals may be sent other than those transmitted by the automatic apparatus heretofore described and this may be accomplished by introducing in a signaling circuit the usual resilient key 94 cooperating with a suitable contact plate 95. This key may be introduced in any desired position, for example the resilient member of the key may conveniently be attached to one of the posts of the main frame of the machine and a suitable contact provided whereby the circuit may be made and broken.

In order that the operator may be assured that the signal is working properly a signal light 96 is desirably placed wlthin the casing of the signaling device and connected into the signaling circuit in such a manner that when the signal is being given the circuit can pass through the lamp and illuminate the same. Inasmuch as this feature is common to many signaling devices further description thereof will be unnecessary, the

' light is however illustrated in Fig. 1 and is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4' in its proper position in the signal circuit.

Thus far the description has related merely to a single signaling circuit, it is however frequently desirable that a plurality of circuits be used, one connected with a single stroke bell or a plurality of single stroke bells and another circuit to'a Vibrating bell or series of bells which may be used, for example, as a fire alarm serving to designate the particular location in which the fire is situated. This can be accomplished by merely providing a separate wire for one side of the fire alarm circuit using one of the wires of the regular si naling circuit for the return conductor ant l providing a suitable switch whereby but one of the circuits can be operated at a time. A convenient switch for the purpose which is illustrated hereln comprisesa pair of brackets 97, 98 and a slidable rod 99 provided with an operating handle 100 extending outside of the casing of the selector mechanism, contact rings 101 and 102 being mounted upon a barrel 103 of insulating material, the rings and insulating material together forming a substantially continuous cylinder. The ring 101 is insulated from the rod 99 but the ring 102 is electrically connected therewith by a metallic screw 104.

Erushes 105, 106, and 108 are positioned to bear against the slidable cylinder of the switch, the brushes 105 and 106 and 107 being in the fire signaling circuit while the brush 108 is in the main signaling circuit and when in contact with the collar 102 providing a connection through the screw 10%, the rod 09 and the bracket'98, the circuit leading from the latter to the resilient arm 70 of the circuit closer.

In Fig. 4: it have indicated diagrammatically the circuits and arrangement of the circuits for operating both the main signals and the fire alarm signals, it being understood that in each case the current is controlled by the selector mechanism in such a manner as to transmit the desired number or call to the distant signals. When the main signal circuit is to be used the switch members 98 to 108 are in the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6. T he desired number is inserted in the signaling circuit by means at the lateral depression of one of the keys 19 to 28 of the selector mechanism. the shaft is rotated through the handle 66 to wind up the spring for a single call or for a plurality of calls as may be desired and then released, whereupon the radial arm 41 with its contacting arm 40 starts in its revolution over the contact terminals 32 to 37 inclusive, thereupon the current Hows from the battery B to the binding post A. the conductor 0 to the frame of the selector mechanism, thence through the particular selector which is in contact with one or more selector bars 7 to 14 inclusive. thence through one of the lines a to f inclusive through the contact terminals 33 to 37, thence through the connector 40, 41 to the shaft 42. From the shaft 42 the current flows through the circuit a, the circuit closer 66. 69. 70. 71. the circuit bracket 98, thence through the shaft 99, the screw 104. the collar 102. brush 108. to the line a which contains the white light 96; thence through the signaling circuit and the main signals S and back to the binding post E, thence through the conductor a to the bind ng post C to the battery B.

When a fire signal is to be sent the current will llow from the battery ll through the binding post A, the selector mechanism, the connector mechanism. the circuit closing mechanism 69, the switch 90. 91 to the bracket 98 in the manner aforesaidp' and when the fire signal is to be sent the barrel 103 of the switch illustrated in Fig. 7 will have been shifted so that the collar 102 will contact with the brush 107 and the collar ,a the switch 90, 91, the circuit a to the.

101 will engage the brushes 105 and 100,

whereupon the current will ilow from the bracket 98 through the rod 99. the screw 104, collar 103 to the brush 10?, thence through the circuit a", through'the brush 105, the collar 101, the brush the conductor a which contains the red light 109 to-the binding post F, thence through the fire alarm circuit operating the vibrating signals T, returning through the binding post E, the

conductor a, the binding post C to the battery B.

it is sometimes desirable to place the signaling device in connection with a plurality of lines so that when the person being called is away from his accustomed place, as for example in a diflerent business department the signal may be transmitted simultaneously to several departments so that it may be located quickly. This may be readily accomplished by leading the several lines to suitable contacts 71 (see Fig. 8) upon the signaling device and by placing each or all in connection with the circuit braking mechanism. A preferred means of connection may be made by merely extending the countershaft 42 and placing thereon a plurality oI" cams 67 68* similar to the cams 67, 68 and providing suitable resilient contacts such as (see Figs. 8 and 9) for each or" the several circuits. Suitable switches may be placed in the circuits whereby selected circuits or all of the circuits may be connected into the signaling device as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

in the structure illustrated in Figs. 1, and 3, signal lamps are mounted adjacent to the end of the shaft 65 and the shaft cannot therefore be easily extended in this particular design. It will be understood however that the signal lamps may be located at any convenient place upon the base of the signaling device so that the shaft 65 may bedreadily extended for the purpose specifie The mechanism above described may of course be inclosed in any suitable case, a convenient form of casing is illustrated herein which comprises a series of posts 110 rising from the base 2, a rectangular surrounding box 111 being removably placed over the posts, the top or front 112 may then be secured to the top posts by means of suitable nuts engaging screws 113 projecting from the ends of said posts. Inasmuch as the cylinder mechanism is of an ornamental character the top 112 may desirably be of plate glass, the instrument thusformed may be placed upon a desk or secured to the wall in any convenient location.

It is to he understood that the embodiment of the invention disclosed herein is one of the preferred forms of the invention and that the same may be incorporated in other mechanisms within the meaning and the scope of the claims hereto annexed.

Having thus described my invention what ll claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A device comprising an elec tric circuit, signaling mechanism operable thereby, a series of bars in said circuit, a series of contact terminals connected respectively to said bars, selecting means operable to engage respectively predetermined bars to cause said contact terminals to be connected in said circuit in predetermined groups, a rotary connector, means for causmg tlie same progressively to engage the members of the series of contact terminals whereby the selected circuits will be completed successively to actuate the signaling mechanism, a circuit closing mechanism operable to close the circuit during a portion only of the time the connector is in engagement with each of the respective members of the series of contact terminals whereby sparking between the connector and said terminals will be avoided.

2. A signaling device comprising an electric circuit, signaling mechanism operable thereby, a series of bars in said circuit, a series ofvcontact terminals connected respectively to said bars, a plurality of independent selecting means operable to engage respectively predetermined bars to cause the contact terminals to be connected in said circuit in predetermined groups, a rotary connector, means for causing'the same progressively to engage the members of the series of contact terminals whereby the selected circuits will be completed successively to actuate the signaling mechanism, a circuit closing mechanism operable to close the circuit during aportion only of the time the' connector is in engagement with each of the respective members of the series of contact terminals comprising a rotary circuit closer timed in relation to the movement of the connector always to engage a cooperating conductor after the connector engages a terminal and to be disengaged therefrom during the traverse of the connector across the terminal whereby sparking between the connector and the terminals will be avoided.

3. A si naliug device comprising an electric circult, signaling mechanism. operable thereby, a series of ars in said circuit, a series of contact terminals connected respectively to said bars, a plurality of independently operable selectors adapted to cause the contact terminals to be connected in said circuit in predetermined groups, a rotary connector, means for causing the same progressively to engage the members of the series of contact terminals whereby the selected circuits will be completed successively to actuate the signaling mechanism, and circuit closing mechanism op= erable to close the circuit during a portion of the time the connector is in engagement with each of the respective members of the series of contact terminals comprising a rotatable member having a cam, a cobperating resilient conductor and means for rotating the same in timed relation to the traverse of the connector to cause said cam to engage and to be disengaged from said resilient terminal during the traverse of the connector across each of its cooperating terminals whereby sparking between the connector and the terminals will be avoided.

4. A signaling device comprising an elecsively to engage the members of the series of contact terminals whereby the selected circuits will be completed successively to actu ate the signaling mechanism, circuit closing mechanism operable to close the circuit during a portion only of the time the connector is in engagement with each of the respective members of the series of contact terminals whereby sparking between the connector and terminals will be avoided and means for causing said connector to traverse repeatedly its cooperating contact terminals a selected number of times whereby the signal may be repeated as desired.

5. A signaling device comprising an electric circuit, signaling mechanism operable thereby, selector mechanism for said circuit mcluding a series of parallel conductor bars, and means including an automatically rotated connector for progressively connecting said bars in the signaling circuit, selecting means slidably supported at right angles to said conductor bars adapted to contact w1th certain bars or groups of bars whereby the electric circuit will be completed by the connector intermittently and progressively through the bars selected and means for securingsald selecting means in operative position in respect to the selected bars while the signal is being sent or repeated.

6. A signaling device comprising an electric circuit, signaling mechanism operable thereby, selector mechanism in said circuit including a series of parallel conductor bars and means including a rotary connector having clockwork mechanism for automatically rotatlng the same, operating progressively to connect said bars in the signaling circuit, a series of selectors slidably mounted at right angles to said conductor bars, each provided with brushes adapted to contact with certain bars or groups of bars whereby the electric circuit will be completed intermittently and progressively through the bars selected a predetermined number of times determined by the winding of the clockwork the selected bars while the signal is being sent or repeated and means for automatically restoring said selector to normal position upon the completion of the signaling operation.

7. A signaling device comprising an electric circuit signaling mechanism operable thereby, selector mechanism in said circuit comprising a series of parallel conductor bars, and means including an automatically rotated connector for progressively connecting said bars in the signaling circuit, a series of selectors slidably mounted at right angles to said connector bars, each provided with brushes adapted to contact with certain bars or groups of bars whereby the signaling circuit will be completed intermittently and progressivelythroughthe bars selected a predetermined number of times and means for securing the actuated selector in operative position in respect to the selected bars while the signal is comprising a spring pressed latch pivotally mounted above said selectors and having a depending flange extending adjacent to said selector beveled and shouldered lugs upon said selectors adapted When the selector is pressed into operative position to raise said being sent or repeated,

latch and passing "beneath the same to engage said latch with theshoulder of said lug.

8. A signaling device comprising a plurality of electric circuits, signaling .mechanism in said circuit, means for selecting the signaling circuit to be actuated, means common to said circuits for transmitting electric impulses selectively over either of said circuits comprising a series of bars located in a line common to both circuits, a series of contact terminals connected respectively to said bars, selecting means operable to engage respectively predetermined bars to cause the contact terminals to be'connected in the selected signaling circuit in predetermined groups, a rotary connector, means for causmg the same progressively to engage the members of the series of contact terminals whereby the circuit will be completed through the selected bars successively to actuate the selected signaling mechanism.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of tWo subscribing witnesses.

WILBUR M. WAITE.

Witnesses:

- MAUD B. GUP'I'ILL,

THOMAS J. DRUMMOND. 

